Flight forced to turn around as fuel got into the plane’s food prep area

1 Aug 2025 • 12:41 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • United Airlines flight UA949, bound for San Francisco from London Heathrow, was forced to return to its departure airport shortly after take-off.
  • The Boeing 777, carrying 272 passengers and 13 crew, turned back due to "fumes" reported in the aircraft's food preparation area.
  • The flight, which had reached as far as Milton Keynes, landed safely back at Heathrow and was met by three fire engines.
  • Following the incident, the flight was ultimately cancelled, with the aircraft remaining at Heathrow for an expected departure on Thursday 31 July.
  • This incident follows another recent United Airlines diversion on 25 July, where a flight from Washington Dulles to Munich returned due to a mechanical issue.

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